Connecticut Web Feature Helps Small Businesses Compete for Contracts

To help small businesses compete for state contracts, Governor M. Jodi Rell has announced that a new online search engine has been designed in order to make it easier for Connecticut state agencies to identify certified small, women and minority-owned businesses.

The Department of Administrative Services (DAS) launched an online application form in January, and this new DAS search engine feature provides state officials with flexibility in researching state-certified companies.

"Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and we want to do all we can to make it easier for them to do business with the State of Connecticut," Rell said. "When we take steps to better identify these businesses, we help improve their chances of being awarded state contracts. This new search engine enables us to learn details about companies that were not previously available to us via the Web."

The new feature allows state officials to find a business using any of the following criteria:

• Location within the state
• Minority group
• Bonding
• Current certifications
• Union
• Product/services provided
• DOT-certification

"These features will help vendors and state agencies find specific suppliers to fill their small business goals," Rell said.

The program allows users to view a profile of the business including owner(s), links to company web pages, class and subclass descriptions, company affiliates and company certification designation. DAS currently has almost 1,500 certified vendors in the database with more applications added daily.

State law requires that 25 percent of the total value of the annual budget for all contracts (including construction, reconstruction, or rehabilitation of public buildings, the construction and maintenance of highways and the purchasing of goods and services), shall be set aside for small businesses, and of that computed amount, 25 percent must be awarded to minority business enterprises.

"I want to make sure that small businesses have total access to state contract information," Governor Rell said. "These businesses are vital to Connecticut's economy and it is important that we provide them with an equal opportunity to compete for state contracts."

All of Connecticut's state agencies, along with 77 municipalities, 27 non-profit agencies, and 34 public schools and Boards of Education have enrolled to post bid information on the state's Internet site for public contracts. The move to online posting of contract information is expected to save taxpayers at least $300,000 a year through reduced costs for copying, mailing and legal notices.